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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
For many children, Children’s Day is a time of colourful parades, laughter, gifts and carefree celebration. School compounds come alive with music and dancing, while families seize the occasion to indulge their children with affection and treats.
But for some children in Enugu on May 27, there were no celebrations. Instead, the day unfolded within the quiet walls of orphanage homes and the crowded wards of hospitals, where illness, abandonment and uncertainty have become harsh parts of daily life. Yet, amid the despair, compassion found its way to them.
It came with food items, gifts, prayers, medical support, tears and smiles as the Women and Children Charity Organisation (WACCA), led by its founder and chief executive officer, Maudline C. Nwakuche, a lawyer, reached out to vulnerable children across Enugu to mark the 2026 International Children’s Day.
The outreach was more than a routine charity visit. It became moments of relief, comfort and hope for families weighed down by hardship and uncertainty.
At the Enugu State government-owned FSP Children Home, where vulnerable and abandoned children are cared for, the atmosphere changed immediately the WACCA team arrived.
Children rushed out excitedly. Some clapped happily. Some smiled shyly while others stared curiously at the visitors carrying bags of food items and supplies. For many of them, it was obvious that the visit meant far more than the gifts being shared.
The items donated included foodstuffs, household materials and care items. But beyond the materials was a louder message, that somebody still remembered them
As the children gathered around the visitors, prayers flowed freely from their tiny lips. Some hugged the items tightly while others simply stood close, smiling and watching with excitement.
For children growing up without stable homes or parental care, the excitement written across their faces reflected something deeper than ordinary happiness. It was the feeling of being remembered on a day many other children were celebrating with their families.
Speaking during the outreach, Nwakuche said the organisation deliberately chose to spend Children’s Day with children who are often forgotten during celebrations.
“Today is a special day for children all over the world,” she said softly while watching some of the children play around the premises.
“So we decided to visit some of these children because some of them are orphans and some of them cannot celebrate. I decided to come and support them so that they can fit in and be happy like every other child.
“These children are future leaders. I wanted this day to be memorable for them. When I see these children, honestly, I am not comfortable. I am a mother and I know how it feels when a child has no parents, especially when they are orphans.
“You saw them when they came out to receive us. They were praying for us and blessing us. They were so excited. That tells you that even little acts of kindness matter so much to them.”
But the outreach did not end at the motherless babies home.
The WACCA team also visited children receiving treatment at ESUTH Parklane, where the organisation donated N500,000 to assist families struggling with hospital bills, drugs and other medical needs.
At the children’s ward, there were worried mothers sitting quietly beside hospital beds, fathers moving restlessly through the corridors and children too weak to even respond to greetings. Some families had spent weeks and even months in the hospital battling illnesses and rising medical expenses.
The reality inside the ward exposed another painful side of childhood often hidden behind the excitement of Children’s Day celebrations. You could see children fighting serious illnesses while their parents struggled daily to keep hope alive.
Nwakuche explained that the organisation’s decision to support hospitalised children came after previous encounters with struggling parents during earlier visits to the hospital.
“We have always been visiting Parklane. During one of our earlier visits when we donated items, some parents were crying that they could not offset their hospital bills or buy drugs for their children. That was what motivated us to come back again.
“Even today, you saw some patients from the orthopaedic section complaining that we did not visit them. That tells you how much people are suffering and how desperately they need help.”
She used the opportunity to call on wealthy Nigerians, organisations and public office holders to embrace compassion and support vulnerable people around them.
“I encourage individuals and organisations to imbibe the spirit of giving because the money we have comes from God. God did not bless you so that you alone will enjoy while others are suffering.
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“You see some people buying expensive cars, building houses everywhere and living extravagant lifestyles while people around them cannot even buy drugs for their children.
“But God said we should love our neighbours as ourselves. You cannot continue living extravagantly and ignore those who are suffering beside you and still expect God’s blessings to remain.
“All these things are vanity. Come out and help humanity. If we all do little things for people around us, this world will become a much better place.”
One of the beneficiaries, Ezeora Mercy, sat beside her daughter, Princess, whose swollen neck had left the family emotionally and financially drained.
Looking visibly exhausted, the mother explained that they had already spent over N500,000 trying to save the child.
“My child has a swelling on her neck. We have been here for three weeks now. The doctors said she needs to go for biopsy. We have spent over N500,000 already.
“She takes two drugs every day and the drugs cost about N40,000. Our money finished completely and we didn’t know what else to do. They said we still needed money for the biopsy.
“I know the money we are receiving today is not everything we need, but, honestly I am very grateful. Thank you so much for this help. I am overwhelmed.”
Not far from her bed sat another mother, Ogbu Blessing, whose son has been battling convulsion since January. She looked tired from months of hospital stay and caregiving, but gratitude still filled her voice.
“My son has convulsion. We have been here since January. I am grateful for any amount I receive because things have been very difficult.
“You can see him. He cannot talk and he cannot walk. So anything anybody does for us means a lot,” she said quietly.
For another beneficiary, IgweChinyelugo, the assistance came at a point when she had almost lost hope.
Fighting back emotion, she recalled how her child’s condition started like ordinary rashes before becoming something much more serious.
“I am very happy because it is only God we rely on. I never expected that people would come to help us like this. What started on my child’s body like ordinary rashes suddenly became something like a boil and his face became swollen.
“We were later told he would undergo surgery. The expenses have been much for us. I pray that God will continue to bless these people more and more for remembering us.”
At the FSP Centre, the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Management Board for the Protection of State-Owned Homes, Barr. UzoamakaOkeji, described the visit as timely and impactful.
According to her, children in government-owned homes need emotional support just as much as material care.
“Seeing an organisation like WACCA come here today to celebrate with them is something we deeply appreciate.
“Today is a memorable day for these children. This kind of visit gives them happiness and a sense of belonging. It makes them feel loved like every other child outside these walls.
“I sincerely thank WACCA for coming to the aid of these vulnerable children,” she said.
FSP
WACCA at the Children’s Ward of the ESUTH, Parklane
Nwakuche making a cash donation to offset bills of some patients.
